The gap was created as a result of Huddersfield Town draw a blank in the Saturday lunchtime kick off against Yorkshire neighbours Bradford City at the Galpharm Stadium. Huddersfield Town 2nd, Bradford City 9th.
Southend United came unstuck at the City Ground where Nottingham Forest claimed 2 second half goals to wrap up a 2-0 win. A Wilson own goal in the 50th minute, followed by a Southall strike in the 69th minute secured the 3-points to edge Forest closer to the play-off zone. Notthingham Forest 7th, Southend United 3rd.
Chesterfield claimed their 10th victory of the season with a 4-2 away win against Bristol City at Ashton Gate. The defeat was City's 7th straight defeat in all competitions! City did manage to take the lead though Wilkshire in the 5th minute. But that is as good as it got as City collapsed as Chesterfield rattled home three goals from Hall (17 & a 29 pen), and Hurst (24). Hall then claimed his hat trick in the 60th minute before City claimed a poor consolation through Cotterill with 6 minutes left. Bristol City 23rd, Chesterfield 4th.
Brentford were made to work for their point in a 3-3 thriller at Griffin Park against Oldham Athletic. Porter put the visitors ahead in the 10th minute, with Pratley levelling for the home side in the 16th minute. Porter then took the game by storm by claiming his hat trick in the 20th and 22nd minutes. Campbell pulled one back in the 27th minute. Then the home fans had to wait until the 88th minute for Owusu to level the game at 3-3! Brentford 5th, Oldham Athletic 17th.
Barnsley will be considering what went wrong against Rotherham United at Oakwell after the visitors were reduced to 8-men!! Barker put the visitors ahead in the 30th minute, but were reduced in numbers when Burton (55), Williamson (84) and Murdock (90) were all sent off. Prior rescued a point for the home side in the 90th minute. Barnsley 6th, Rotherham United 21st.
Colchester United continued their recent good form with a 3-2 win over Blackpool. Iwelumo out the home side ahead in the 33rd minute, and doubled the advantage with a 53rd minute penalty. Blackpool pulled one back in the 50th minute before Halford effectively wrapped up the win in the 80th minute. Wright pulled one back in the 90th, but it was not enough to secure a point. Colchester United 8th, Blackpool 22nd.
Scunthorpe United have slipped back to 10th in League One after they were beaten 2-1 by Tranmere Rovers at Glanford Park. Greenacre put the visitors ahead in the 57th minute from the penalty spot, with Sharp levelling, also from the penalty spot 10 minutes later. Facey secured the win in the 75th minute. Scunthorpe United 10th, Tranmere Rovers 19th.
Port Vale were held at home by bottom club Swindon Town at Vale Park. Bouazza gave the visitors an unlikely lead in the 65th minute. But a share of the points was the outcome as Husbands levelled with 4 minutes to go. Port Vale 11th, Swindon Town 24th.
Doncaster Rovers and AFC Bournemouth fought out a 6-goal thriller at Belle Vue, with the home side coming out on top 4-2. Heffernan put Rovers ahead in the 5 minutes before the break. The on the hour mark McIndoe extended Rovers' lead from the penalty spot. Ravenhill made it three in the 62nd minute. Surman pulled one back for the Cherries in the 63rd with Rodrigues reducing the deficit to one in the 78th minute. But as Bournemouth pushed for an equaliser Fenton re established a 2-goal lead in the 84th minute. Doncaster Rovers 12th, AFC Bournemouth 13th.
Franchise FC claimed only their 4th win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Walsall at the National Hockey Stadium. McLeod got the home side off to a good start with hisn 8th goal of the season in the 5th minute. Skora levelled for Walsall in the 12th before Wilbraham settled matters with 7 minute remaining. Franchise FC 18th, Walsall 14th.
Finally, Gillingham claimed their 5th win of the season with a 1-0 home win over Hartlepool United at Priestfield. The only goal of the game in the 9th minute through Shields. Gillingham 20th, Hartlepool United 15th.